IVF A-Z Glossary
Here you will find a glossary of the most common words and expressions related to IVF and assisted reproduction that you need to know during your treatment.
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Key Terms and Definitions in IVF and Assisted Reproduction
Glossary
Insemination with donated sperm.
Partner insemination, which may be a suitable treatment if the couple has difficulty having intercourse.
A hormone produced by the small, growing follicles in the ovaries. The level of AMH in the blood reflects the number of remaining eggs in the ovaries (see Ovarian Reserve). Younger women typically have more eggs and thus higher AMH. An important parameter in fertility assessment and treatment planning.
In the short protocol, the ovaries are stimulated without prior downregulation. Hormone treatment starts with menstruation, and a few days into treatment, a medication (GnRH antagonist) is given to regulate the body's ovulation signal.
A collective term for various methods used to bring together sperm and egg to help a couple have a child. Either only sperm are handled outside the body (see Insemination), or both eggs and sperm are treated outside the body (see IVF, ICSI).
Caused by impaired sperm production in the testicle or a blockage in the epididymis/vas deferens.
In long-term culture, embryos are allowed to grow for 5-6 days before transfer, reaching the blastocyst stage and containing 150-200 cells.
Cervix uteri.
Sexual intercourse.
The transformed follicle after ovulation.
Can be offered to couples or single women. Both donated eggs and donated sperm are used for treatment. Eggs may be fresh or frozen, while sperm are always frozen.
Semen.
A fertilized egg that has begun to divide.
Donation of surplus embryos from IVF treatment that have been frozen. If the couple does not wish to have more children, they may offer their embryos to others. Not yet offered in Sweden due to lack of complete ethical guidelines.
Endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity.
Uterine lining.
The epididymis is a long, coiled tube located on the back of each testicle in the male reproductive system.
If the woman's infertility is due to few or no eggs, or poor egg quality, the couple can become parents through egg donation. Donated eggs are fertilized with the partner's sperm, and an embryo is transferred to the woman's uterus.
After IVF, the embryo (a fertilized and divided egg) is transferred. The doctor inserts a thin guide into the cervical canal and monitors placement via ultrasound. The embryologist draws the embryo into a thin catheter, which is inserted into the uterus.
Ovarian follicle.
If several eggs are fertilized and develop normally during IVF, surplus embryos of good quality can be frozen. If the woman does not become pregnant with the fresh embryo, a frozen embryo can be thawed and transferred. By law, embryos may be stored for up to 10 years.
Two main freezing techniques: slow freezing (used for day 2/3 embryos) and vitrification (rapid freezing, used for blastocysts). Each embryo is stored in ID-labeled straws in liquid nitrogen tanks.
Stimulates follicle growth.
Sex cell, either egg or sperm.
Collective name for pituitary hormones FSH and LH.
Pregnancy hormone.
In cases of ovulation disorders, ovulation can be induced with tablets or injections. Ultrasound and hormone tests are used to guide treatment.
If the man's sperm sample contains too few or poorly motile sperm, a single sperm is injected into each mature egg during IVF. Used in over half of IVF treatments.
An embryo attaches to the uterine lining.
Sometimes called embryo donation, embryo adoption, or partner treatment. Offered to same-sex couples (or trans man-trans man/woman) where eggs are aspirated from one and transferred to the other. Treatment uses fresh eggs or frozen embryos.
Test-tube fertilization, used for all forms of involuntary childlessness: female, male, unexplained infertility, and for egg/sperm donation.
Induces ovulation.
The period after ovulation or embryo transfer.
In some cases, small surgical biopsies are taken from the testicle to increase the chance of finding sperm. Also performed under local anesthesia.
Fibroids in the uterus.
Overstimulation occurs in 1-2% of IVF cases. Hormone doses cause too many follicles to grow, leading to abdominal swelling, pain, and breathing difficulty. Symptoms usually appear after embryo transfer. Treatment varies by severity; rest and monitoring are often sufficient, but hospital care may be needed. Increased risk of blood clots; anticoagulant treatment may be necessary. Pregnancy is not negatively affected. With shorter hormone stimulation (antagonist protocol), OHSS risk has decreased significantly. All embryos can be frozen, and transfer postponed to a later cycle with no risk to the woman and equal pregnancy chances.
Aspiration of eggs (egg retrieval) from the ovaries via the vagina.
The number of remaining eggs in the ovaries at a given time. Good ovarian reserve increases the chances of having a child with IVF.
Ovary.
Release of an egg from the ovary.
If sperm are absent in semen due to a blockage (e.g., after infection or sterilization), sperm can be retrieved from the epididymis under local anesthesia.
Hormone produced by the corpus luteum that makes the uterine lining more receptive to the embryo.
If the man lacks sperm, the couple can become parents through sperm donation. The woman's eggs are fertilized with donated sperm, and an embryo is transferred to her uterus. Also available to lesbian couples.
Sperm and eggs are placed together in a dish with nutrient solution, allowing sperm to fertilize eggs "naturally."
If sperm are absent in semen, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicle via needle biopsy under local anesthesia.
Testicle.
Male sex hormone.
Fallopian tube.
Uterus.
A rapid two-step process for freezing eggs or embryos. First, dehydration removes water from cells, then the cells are instantly transformed from liquid to solid, preventing harmful ice crystals.
To determine why pregnancy is delayed, the couple meets with a doctor for consultation and examinations.